Leucospilapteryx venustella
(Clemens, 1860)
Sort #: 267 | P3 #: 330226 | MPG #: 698 | PFG Page #: 38
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Larval feeding type: Large underside leaf-mine, pupates outside the mine in a silken cocoon
Larval substrate: Ageratina altissima* (White Snakeroot), Eupatorium (Boneset), Eutrochium dubium* (Coastal Plain Joe-Pye Weed), Mikania scandens (Climbing Hempvine)
Phenology: Adult: 7/20 to 8/23 (3 records)
Comment: Can be mistaken for Acrocercops astericola, but L. venustella has white along the base of the dorsum, whereas in astericola it is brown; the tarsi in both species are banded, not plain white as in Leucospilapteryx n.sp.
Status in MA (automated assessment): Fairly widespread, fairly common
Status in N. America: Native
MA Endangered Species Act status: None
First Year Reported: 1936
Last Year Reported: 2020
Distribution by County: Berkshire, Franklin, Middlesex, Essex, Bristol, Plymouth, Dukes, Nantucket
Number of Records: 24
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Young mine on Eutrochium dubium (from above) (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Four mines in one leaf on Eutrochium dubium (from below) (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Four mines in one leaf on Eutrochium dubium (from above) (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Fully developed mine on Eutrochium dubium (from above) (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Fully developed mine on Ageratina altissima (from above) (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Larvae turn red shortly before for pupation (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Pupal cocoon being prepared (Photo: ©S. Whitebread) -
Pupal cocoon almost completed (Photo: ©S. Whitebread)